The Beacon Fire.

flame that enveloped the figure in a misty indistinctness . Suddenly a second form appeared , it was of far greater stature than the first , ancl its arm was raised with a menacing gesture . " That must be the shade of Red Sweyn , " muttered Sidroc to the minstrel . For an instant the strange , weird fire flared up wildly against the sky , shewing the two figures standing on the rugged summit of the towerancl confronting

, each other in wai-like array , their shining arms reflecting the ghostly radiance of the flames ; and then a mist seemed to conceal them from view , and they faded away into the air . " Dost thou believe now ? " asked Osyth , in a low earnest voice , turning to Adhelm as the vision disappeared . The young Saxon was standing with his arms folded on his breast , his eyes fixed intently on the tower .

" I said I would believe if I saw . I have seen , ancl I do believe , " he replied , gravely . " Some great unknown danger threatens our king or our country within the coming year , " said Osyth , sadly . " Would we knew it , that we might avert it , even as did Leofwine the True-hearted , on that Yule Eve in the days of King-Alfred . " What that danger was , historians have often told . A . S . T .

Cousin Ann.

COUSIN ANN .

IT is a great many years ago since , at a Christmas ancl New Year party , the little incident occurred to which this story relates , ancl my readers must bear with me if I seem rather prolix ; , and , as often happens with us all , linger too much and too fondly amid the things of the past . J . Beresford , in an old song now almost forgotten , asks so patheticall y in other days— Had ever a cousin Tom ?

you And did your cousin haiipen to sing ? and then proceeds' to describe , in moving words , his finale , in a somewhat similar episode a good many more years ago—Tf or if I had said half what I might say , So sad were the lesson 'twould give , That it would keep from loving for a day

you many , Arid from cousins as long as you live . Thus history always , we observe , repeats itself . Ann Norton ; at the time I am writing , ivas about as charming a girl as you can see anywhere . Tall , not too tall , lithe ancl active , with the most graceful of figures and the most winning of smiles , she always attracted admiration wherever she went .

I do not know how it was , but somehow she seemed to do things differently to all around her . There was a character in all she uttered and all she accomplished , in her most common deeds , in her most trifling words . I often called her "Una , " and she came nearer to Spenser ' s idea of "Una" than anyone I think I have ever met . There was a speaking power in her dark grey eyeswith a sort of blue

, ray in them , which was very dominating . Her head was set on her shoulders in such a way that she was always erect and perfect in form and appearance ; and though she was up to anything , from "riding straight , " so straight as to alarm many of the gentlemen in our old hunt , she was passionately fond of music , her draivings were inimitable , and her love of fun unconquerable .